Overview

Housed in the historic Prussian arsenal on Unter den Linden and a new exhibition building designed by I.M. Pei, this museum is highly accessible and well worth a visit. Not all captions are translated but you can have an audio guide in English which highlights some exhibits. We also enjoyed god quality coffee and croissants in the museum restaurant.

Transport & Parking

By 2019 there will be an U-bahn station very close to the building. The nearest at present is at Alexanderplatz, about 10 minutes level wheel/walk away. Bus 100 stops close to the museum on Unter den Linde. The bus route links many of the major tourist sites in Berlin (e.g. Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag building & zoo) and buses can get very crowded, making life tricky for wheelchair users.

Access

Level entry to the building through a push button door next to the revolving doors. Lifts to all levels, both in the Arsenal building and the I.M. Pei building. Displays are well spaced out and circulation is easy. Level access to the restaurant from the main foyer of the Arsenal building.

Toilets

We used the accessible loos in the Arsenal and in the the new building. Both were clean, reasonably spacious, equipped with grab rails both side of the loo and wheelchair accessible washbasin. Both had single alarm cords at the side of the loo stretching to within 18" of the floor. In both loos it would be possible to side transfer onto the loo from either side. Someone had turned off the light in the loo in the Arsenal and I had to use my phone as a torch to find the switch. It's on the left, just inside the door.

Staff

Outstandingly helpful. The lady who sold us our tickets asked whether the wheelchair was powered and when we said "no" gave the accompanist free entry. She also gave us clear directions about where the lifts are. Every time we approached a door, a member of staff rushed to open it.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Even if you aren't interested in the temporary exhibitions, do visit the I.M. Pei building - it's a great piece of modern architecture. You get there by crossing the Arsenal courtyard (roofed over) and going down in a lift and through a wide corridor under the street which runs along the back of the Arsenal building.

Photos